Donald Corenman, MD, DC
Moderator
Post count: 8656

Cervicothoracic spine MRI findings
There is slight straightening of the cervical lordosis with spondylotic changes in the lower cervical spine C5-6 and C6-7. At both levels, there are posterior disc osteophyte complexes and bilateral uncovertebral joint hypertrophy.
At C5-6, there is moderate vertebral canal stenosis and marked indentation and flattening of the ventral cord but no overt compression or evidence of intra medullary signal abnormality. There is severe intervertebral foraminal on the right and moderate on the left
At C6-7, further moderate vertebral canal stenosis and ventral cord flattening is demonstrated. Again there is no overt compression or cord signal abnormality. Severe right and moderate left sided intervertebral foraminal narrowing is demonstrated.
At C7-T1, moderate to severe intervertebral foraminal narrowing is demonstrated, worse on the right.
No other significant neuroforaminal narrowing or evidence of any compressive radiculopathy elsewhere.
Modest atlantoaxial joint degeneration is noted otherwise the craniocervical junction is normal.
Lumbar spine
Mild to modest age related degenerative changes are evident.
There is straightening of the lumbar lordosis otherwise alignment and vertebral body heights are preserved.
The degenerative changes are most pronounced at L4-5 and L5-S1 with mild disc dehydration and slight loss of
height at the latter level. There are multilevel disc bulges with a tiny posterior midline annular tear at L5-S1.
At L3-4, there is moderate vertebral canal stenosis and crowding of the cauda equina roots but without overt
compression. There appear to be subtle bilateral degenerative facet joint effusions. The exiting L3 nerve roots are
contacting the disc bulge laterally but without overt compression.
Spondylotic changes as described in the cervical spine from C5-6 to C7-T1 with bilateral moderate to severe
intervertebral foraminal narrowing, worse on the right.
Mild to modest age related degenerative changes in the lower lumbar spine.
Tiny posterior midline annular tear at L5-S1. Moderate vertebral canal stenosis at L3-4 without overt cauda equina compression. The exiting L3 nerve roots are contacting the disc bulge at this level laterally but without overt compression.

This MRI series needs to have your actual complaints to determine what could be causing your symptoms. See these sections to understand how to describe your current complaints.

https://neckandback.com/conditions/how-to-describe-your-history-and-symptoms-of-neck-shoulder-and-arm-pain/
https://neckandback.com/conditions/how-to-describe-your-history-and-symptoms-of-lower-back-and-leg-pain/

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.